The top cuvée from Delas is the 2015 Hermitage Les Bessards, and it's always 100% Syrah from the steep, broken granite soils of the Bessards lieu-dit. Aged 18 months in 30% new barrels, its purple/plum color is followed by a huge nose of blackcurrants, graphite, toasted spice, crushed rocks and saddle leather. Powerful, massively concentrated, and tannic, it has a broad, expansive, heavenly texture, a thick mid-palate (you could almost use a fork for this beauty), and a great finish. Despite the richness level, it stays balanced and graceful on the palate, and is never over the top or heavy. It's a perfect Hermitage that will start to shine with 4-5 years of bottle age and keep for three decades or more. Bravo!

Almost opaque in color, the first thing you notice is the minerality, with all those crushed rocks and stones. From there you quickly move to salty, red berries, smoke, herbs and spice. Full bodied and rich, the wine fills your mouth, coating your palate layers of ripe, deep, black fruits and freshness that builds in intensity. Read more at:https://www.thewinecellarinsider.com/wine-tasting-note/?vintage=2015&wine=Delas%20Freres%20Hermitage%20Les%20Bessards

99+ With approximately 500 cases produced, the 2015 Hermitage les Bessards is probably among the most available of the vintage's top wines. Jump on it if your means allow, as I suspect this wine will be a candidate for perfection once it sheds some tannin. It's perfumed on the nose, concentrated on the palate and amazingly long yet also elegant from start to finish. And amid the power, oak and massive cassis and blackberry fruit, it also manages to include hints of crushed stone evocative of its granitic terroir. It's breathtaking stuff, virtually guaranteed to bring a smile to any wine lover's face. - Joe Czerwinski

There's a striking balance here calibrating bold, almost muscular ripeness against an invigorating granite edge. This wine is plump and full bodied, full of supple blackberry and plum flavors balanced by pert acidity and taut, penetrating tannins. It should be in peak from 2020–2035 but hold further. — Anna Lee C. Iijima

The granitic Bessards character is strong here with dark slate and dark, lustrous blackberry and plum fruits on the nose. The palate has a swathe of fine, long and powerful, yet velvety, tannins. Oak is nicely integrated. Very fresh. A great wine. Drink from 2020.

Polished and pure, with a beam of cassis and cherry preserves streaming through, flanked with floral and iron streaks. Long and refined through the finish, with pretty spice and apple wood details infusing the fruit flavor. Best from 2022 through 2035. — J.M.